Can working landscapes work for conservation?

Abstract:

Accelerating rates of land conversion for agriculture, development, and resource extraction have challenged us to identify creative ways to sustain biodiversity, protect ecosystem services, and support human health and well-being within “working landscapes.

This challenge becomes urgent when we consider that in many regions, persistence of the most vulnerable species and ecosystems requires sustainable management of privately-owned and multi-use lands.

Fortunately, there are a growing number of tools and approaches that can be used to identify, monitor, and incentivize key conservation actions. I highlight examples showing new ways that private sector investments and public-private partnerships can improve sustainability of tropical and temperate agroecosystems and achieve positive social and ecological outcomes at regional, national, and international levels.

Bio:

Amanda Rodewald’s research seeks to understand the behavioral and demographic mechanisms guiding population, community, and landscape-scale responses of birds to land use change and human activity in North, Central and South America.

She tightly integrates her research and outreach efforts to inform policy and management and regularly interacts with government agencies, conservation organizations, and private landowners. Her national leadership activities include service to the Science Advisory Board of the US EPA and as a regular columnist to The Hill.